GUWAHATI: Tensions escalated in Assam’s Sonari after two people were injured in a firing incident at Kanubari Tea Estate. The incident occurred in the Charaideo district of the state at around 8:30 pm on Sunday evening, along the interstate boundary with Nagaland.
Preliminary reports suggested that the attackers, identified as two Naga miscreants, rode into the estate on a motorcycle wielding country-made pistol. They fired shots indiscriminately injuring two tea estate workers, who had ventured out of their homes alarmed by the gunfire.
Official sources have confirmed the identities of the injured as Dandu Mahali and Suresh Munda, as reported by the press. One of the victims shared a harrowing account of the incident, stating that the assailants took advantage of the darkness, as the estate lights were turned off, to initiate the gunfire.
In recent times, the region along the interstate border has garnered attention due to incidents of violence. On September 23, an incident in Mon district in Nagaland resulted in the deaths of a driver and a handyman from Charaideo, Assam. In the aftermath, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) from both Mon (Nagaland) and Charaideo district united to address potential border-related issues.
Acknowledging the significance of regular dialogue and coordination, the CSOs had decided to convene periodic meetings to enable discussions, share information, and strengthen their alliance. The next meeting is scheduled for October 10, 2023.
Earlier on April 23, Chief Ministers of both Assam and Nagaland had convened a meeting at Assam House in New Delhi to resolve the vexed border issue between the two states. Post the meeting, both the Chief Ministers had concurred that the meeting focused on resolving the border dispute outside of the courtroom with the backing and collaboration of ethnic communities from both regions.
